After another disappointing Toronto Maple Leafs playoff loss, it's time to break up the core four forwards and that might mean moving on from Mitch Marner, who becomes a free agent at the end of the 2024-25 season. Former Toronto Maple Leafs forward Daniel Winnik is retiring from the game of hockey after nearly two decades of professional hockey, he announced on ‘X’ [https://x.com/Danwinnik34/status/1806293993501708509]Thursday. In a post captioned, “After a lot of thought and careful consideration I have decided to retire from the game of hockey”, Winnick included a brief message to his fans. “For the past 19 years, I have lived a dream, from signing my first contract with the Phoenix Coyotes to my last with Geneva Servette,” Winnik wrote. “Some experiences I thought would only remain dreams became reality: being coached by Wayne Gretzky, playing for my hometown team, the Toronto Maple Leafs, and representing Canada at the Olympic Games. I am grateful to all my teammates and coaches throughout my life for pushing me to be better.” Winnik’s journey began when he was drafted by the Phoenix Coyotes in the ninth round (265th overall) in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft. Making his NHL debut in the 2007-08 season, he quickly established himself as a reliable two-way forward. Over the years, he played for several teams, including the Colorado Avalanche, San Jose Sharks, Anaheim Ducks, Pittsburgh Penguins, Washington Capitals, Minnesota Wild, and the Leafs. In his NHL career, Winnik played in 798 regular season games where he scored 82 goals paired with 169 assists for 251 points. He made an additional 63 appearances in the NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs, tacking on four assists. As a Toronto, native, Winnik thought the chance to play for the Leafs “would only remain dreams” but as we come to know, he had the opportunity to turn this dream into a reality. Collectively, over the two seasons he was in Toronto, Winnik scored 11 goals, 28 assists, and tallied 39 total points in 114 games. In the announcement, Winnik shows gratitude for the experiences he was able to have along the way, including the opportunity to play for his hometown Maple Leafs. Winnik’s career wasn’t confined to the NHL as after the 2017-18 season, he would take his talents overseas to play an eventual six seasons with the Geneve Servette in the Swiss National League (Swiss-A league) – winning two championships along the way. His time in Switzerland proved to be his “most cherished memories” and “holds a special place” in his heart. “I want to express my sincere gratitude to Geneva Servette, the fans, and the city for everything over the past six years. Helping to bring the city two championships will forever be my most cherished career memories. Geneva was the only place I truly called home, and it holds a special place in my heart. Merci pour tout.” [embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8nvMOus310U[/embed] Winnick played in 270 regular season games in Switzerland, scoring 91 goals and adding 143 assists for a 243-point total. In his postseason experience, he appeared in 38 games, scoring nine goals and 16 assists – good enough for 25 points. As Winnick steps away from the game, he crafted a career that saw him excel in the NHL and abroad. His time with the Leafs, though a small chapter in his long career, was a dream come true for the Toronto native. 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